2008 hunting rules on commission
agenda at April 11-12 meeting in Pasco

OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is scheduled to take action on new hunting rules for the 2008 season at a public meeting April 11-12 in Pasco.

The nine-member commission, which sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), is scheduled to meet from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. April 11 at the Red Lion Hotel, 2525 N. 20th Ave. in Pasco. The meeting will continue April 12 at 8 a.m.

Before meeting in Pasco, the commission will take a driving tour of an experimental livestock grazing project designed to improve forage for elk and deer at the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area. The tour will begin at 7:30 a.m. April 11 at WDFW’s field office in Clarkston, 1049 Port Way. Members of the public can attend the tour, but must provide their own transportation. No official public comment will be taken during the tour.

During the meeting April 12, the commission is scheduled to consider new hunting rules for the upcoming season. In February, the commission took public input on most of the proposals for the 2008 hunting season.

Because this is the third year of a three-year seasons and rules package, no major changes are proposed for the upcoming season, said Dave Ware, game manager for WDFW.

Changes proposed for this season include:

Adjusting general season and special permit hunts for deer and elk to address population changes, agricultural damage, winter mortality and other issues;